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Global spotlight on Klassiker as Bayern host Dortmund

vor 2 Stunden

Heavyweight duel: The world will be watching as FC Bayern München host Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena on Saturday eveningHenrikh Mkhitaryan (c.) was on target the last time the sides met in the Bundesliga: a 3-0 win for BVB in April this yearManuel Neuer (r.) will again be crucial to Bayern's game as they look to compound Dortmund's early season misery

Munich - The eyes of the world will be trained on the Allianz Arena on Saturday evening when Bundesliga leaders FC Bayern München host Borussia Dortmund in one of the most eagerly-awaited fixtures on the footballing calendar (kick-off 17:30 GMT / 18:30 CET).

bundesliga.com previews what promises to be a thrilling encounter in the Bavarian capital...

If Pep Guardiola is to believed then this game is "just about getting three points", but in reality a great deal more is on the line. The psychological impact a Dortmund victory could have on the visitors, and the rest of the league itself, would be huge and could kickstart a BVB backlash for the remainder of the season.

The hosts still have an extensive injury list, headed up by Bastian Schweinsteiger (fitness), Thiago (knee), Holger Badstuber (thigh), Javi Martinez (cruciate), Pepe Reina (calf) and Tom Starke (ankle). Arjen Robben should be fit to play after missing Bayern's last two competitive games with a knock.

BVB are likewise without several first team regulars, including Marcel Schmelzer, Jakub Blaszczykowski, Nuri Sahin (all fitness) and Dong-Won Ji (knee). Ilkay Gündogan has shown no ill effects since making his comeback, and is expected to start in midfield.

Bayern's goalless draw in Gladbach last weekend proved that if teams are brave enough to attack Bayern then they can get chances. Manuel Neuer was the hero in that fixture, making several outstanding saves to keep his side in the game. He will have to be at his best again here to keep Dortmund at arm's length.

The flip side of that coin is that Dortmund will need to be more clinical than ever if they want to return home with the points, especially as Bayern have only conceded twice in the league this term. Marco Reus will be be given the task of unlocking the hosts' defence with his pace and dribbling ability, while the 25-year-old's eye for goal could be decisive.

Pep Guardiola: BVB's league position isn’t an issue; at present they're still our main rivals and they’ve got an outstanding team.

Jürgen Klopp (l.): We need to make our own luck and win back our self-confidence. We’ve been around long enough to know that we can get something on Saturday.

Both sides eased into the DFB Cup last 16 during the week, but it is Bayern who come into the game in better form, even if they very nearly lost their unbeaten record this season away to Gladbach on Matchday 9. BVB have lost six Bundesliga matches already this term, but have been irresistible in the Champions League, where Klopp's charges have nine points from three games.

History is on Bayern's side in this fixture, with the Bavarians winning 39 of the 90 league matches contested so far. There have been 28 draws, while Dortmund have won 23 times, including the most recent Bundesliga encounter: a 3-0 away triumph in April this year.